Last Updated: May 24, 2026
From Moab we traveled a few hours west to Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. We arrived in early May to a surprise: below-freezing nights and a dusting of late spring snow on the red rock.
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
The name “Capitol Reef” comes from two features of the landscape. Early travelers thought the rounded white domes of Navajo Sandstone resembled the dome of the United States Capitol, and “reef” refers to the Waterpocket Fold — a nearly 100-mile ridge in the earth’s crust that, like an ocean reef, long served as a barrier to travel.
Fruita
Mormon settlers established cattle ranching and short-season farming in the Capitol Reef area in the late 1800s. The Fremont River was essential, providing the irrigation that made farms and orchards possible in this dry country.
Settlers planted apple, pear, and other fruit orchards, and in 1902 the small community took the fitting name “Fruita.” Its fruit and vegetables were sold or bartered to nearby towns.
Capitol Reef was established as a national monument in 1937 and redesignated a national park in 1971. Through the 1960s, the National Park Service gradually acquired all the Fruita property.
Most of the original structures are gone, though a few remain. The historic orchards — roughly 1,900 trees, and among the largest in the National Park System — are still maintained by the Park Service. When fruit is in season, visitors may harvest from orchards posted with “U-Pick Fruit” signs; you can eat your fill in the orchard for free and take fruit home for a small per-pound fee. We also picked up a freshly baked apple pie at the historic Gifford Homestead — delicious.
We saw mule deer in the area every day. Jake, our dog, was always delighted to spot them.
Goosenecks
Nearly 800 feet below the overlook winds Sulphur Creek, a tributary of the Fremont River. Over time it has carved tight, looping bends — the goosenecks — deep into the rock.
Hickman Bridge
The hike to Hickman Bridge, just under a mile each way, was well worth the effort.
Along the trail we also came across a smaller natural bridge.
Rock Art
These petroglyphs were created by the Fremont culture and are roughly 1,000 years old. The Fremont were hunter-gatherers who supplemented their diet by growing corn and squash.
Capitol Gorge
Capitol Gorge is a beautiful, sheer-walled canyon. Until State Route 24 opened in 1962, this narrow gorge was the main route for wagons and cars through the reef.
It was an easy hike, if a cold one, along a sandy trail. In places the gorge walls closed in, narrow and almost vertical.
Thousand Lakes RV Park
Our site had nice views to the west, with 50-amp service, 50 psi water pressure, a sewer hookup, and good internet. The park ran a BBQ restaurant each evening — very good ribs, brisket, chicken, and salmon. Thousand Lakes RV Park is in Torrey, just outside Capitol Reef National Park.
Cathedral Valley
The Cathedral Valley loop is a backcountry route for high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles only, and conditions can change quickly. It was a long drive through BLM land into the remote north end of Capitol Reef, but the scenery was worth every mile — and we had it almost entirely to ourselves.
The Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon are monoliths of Entrada Sandstone, deposited about 160 million years ago.
Nearby, bentonite hills form a painted-desert landscape — softly contoured, banded mounds in shifting hues of brown, red, purple, gray, and green.
Glass Mountain is a large exposed mound of selenite crystals — selenite being a crystalline form of gypsum. Water moving through the Entrada Sandstone carried dissolved gypsum that deposited and crystallized here into a single glittering mass.
The Castle, a prominent formation near the visitor center, rises dramatically above Sulphur Creek.
Practical Tips for Visiting Capitol Reef National Park
When to visit. Spring and fall are ideal at Capitol Reef. April and May bring the Fruita orchards into blossom along with pleasant hiking weather, though — as we discovered — nights can still drop below freezing and a late snow is possible. September and October are mild and beautiful, and coincide with the apple harvest. Summer is hot but manageable, while winter is cold, quiet, and often dusted with snow.
Fees and access. State Route 24 runs straight through Capitol Reef and is free to drive, as are many viewpoints, the Fruita orchards, and the Hickman Bridge and roadside petroglyph stops. The paved Scenic Drive south of the visitor center charges a $20 per-vehicle fee, valid for seven days, and the America the Beautiful pass is accepted. Capitol Reef has no timed-entry reservation system.
Picking fruit in Fruita. The historic Fruita orchards are one of the park’s most charming features. When fruit ripens — cherries and apricots in summer, apples and pears into fall — orchards posted with “U-Pick Fruit” signs are open for harvesting. You can eat ripe fruit in the orchard for free and take fruit home for a small per-pound fee paid at self-serve stations. Don’t miss the freshly baked fruit pies at the historic Gifford Homestead.
Hiking. Capitol Reef has excellent short hikes. The Hickman Bridge trail (under a mile each way) leads to a graceful natural bridge, the Capitol Gorge trail is an easy, sandy walk between narrow canyon walls, and the Fremont petroglyph panels along Highway 24 require no hiking at all. Carry water and sun protection — shade is scarce.
Cathedral Valley. The remote Cathedral Valley district, home to the Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon, is reached only by a long backcountry loop suited to high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles. The route crosses BLM land and includes a ford of the Fremont River that can be impassable after rain or snowmelt, so always check current conditions with the park before setting out.
Where to stay. The town of Torrey, just west of the park, has lodges, restaurants, and RV parks — we stayed at Thousand Lakes RV Park. The park’s own Fruita Campground sits among the orchards and is very popular, so reserve early. Capitol Reef also makes a natural stop on Utah’s Scenic Byway 12, linking it with Escalante, Bryce Canyon, and the rest of southern Utah’s national parks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Capitol Reef National Park?
Capitol Reef is in south-central Utah, along State Route 24 near the town of Torrey. It is the most central of Utah’s five national parks, roughly between Canyonlands to the east and Bryce Canyon to the west, and the least crowded of the five.
Is there an entrance fee for Capitol Reef?
There is no fee to drive Highway 24 through the park or to visit the Fruita orchards, the petroglyphs, and many viewpoints. The park’s Scenic Drive charges a $20 per-vehicle fee, valid for seven days, and the America the Beautiful pass is accepted. Capitol Reef has no timed-entry reservation requirement.
Can you pick fruit at Capitol Reef?
Yes. The historic Fruita orchards, maintained by the Park Service, are open for harvesting when fruit is ripe and the orchards are posted with “U-Pick Fruit” signs. Visitors can eat ripe fruit in the orchard for free and take fruit home for a small per-pound fee. Cherries and apricots ripen in summer, and apples and pears continue into fall.
What is the best time to visit Capitol Reef?
Spring (April and May) and fall (September and October) are ideal, with mild temperatures, orchard blossoms in spring, and the apple harvest in fall. Summers are hot, and winters are cold and quiet but can be beautiful with snow on the red rock.
How do you get to Cathedral Valley?
Cathedral Valley, in the remote northern section of the park, is reached by a long backcountry loop road that requires a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle. The route includes a ford of the Fremont River and can be impassable when wet, so always check conditions with the park first.
Can you see Capitol Reef in one day?
Yes. A single day is enough for the highlights along Highway 24 and the Scenic Drive: the Fruita orchards and historic homestead, the roadside Fremont petroglyphs, the Goosenecks Overlook, and a short hike to Hickman Bridge or through Capitol Gorge. The Cathedral Valley backcountry loop needs a separate, full day.
Why is it called Capitol Reef?
The name comes from two features. Early travelers thought the rounded white domes of Navajo Sandstone looked like the dome of the U.S. Capitol, and “reef” refers to the Waterpocket Fold — a long, rugged ridge that, like an ocean reef, blocked travel across the region.
